Onychothemis testacea explained

Onychothemis testacea, the stellate river hawk, or riverhawker, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is widespread in many Asian countries.[1]

Description

It is a medium sized dragonfly with bottle-green eyes. Its thorax is dark metallic-blue, marked with citron-yellow. There is a narrow mid-dorsal carina, a humeral spot and a narrow stripe on mesepimeron. Abdomen is black, marked with citron-yellow. Segment 1 has a triangular spot on mid-dorsum. Segment 2 has a small diamond-shaped spot on mid-dorsum. Segment 3 has its basedorsally and sub-dorsally narrow yellow and a stellate spot on mid-dorsum. Segments 4 to 9 are similar to 3; but the lateral spots much smaller. Segment 10 is entirely black. Anal appendages are black. Female is similar to the male.

Habitat

It breeds in streams in forest or at its margins. This is a very fast flying dragonfly of forested streams. Males usually perch on dry twigs and other similar vantage points over streams and aggressively chase other dragonflies entering their territory.[2] [3] [4] [5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: K.A. . Subramanian . K.G. . Emiliyamma . R. . Babu . C. . Radhakrishnan . S.S. . Talmale . Atlas of Odonata (Insecta) of the Western Ghats, India . 2018 . Zoological Survey of India . 9788181714954. 346-347.
  2. Book: C FC Lt. Fraser. Frederic Charles Fraser. The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma, Odonata Vol. III. Taylor and Francis. Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, London. 1936. 404-406.
  3. Book: C FC Lt. Fraser. Frederic Charles Fraser. A Survey of the Odonate (Dragonfly) Fauna of Western India and Descriptions of Thirty New Species. 1924. 442.
  4. Web site: Onychothemis testacea Laidlaw, 1902. India Biodiversity Portal. 2017-02-15.
  5. Web site: Onychothemis testacea Laidlaw, 1902. Odonata of India, v. 1.00. Indian Foundation for Butterflies. 2017-02-15.